Tip of the Week

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Week of June 17-23
Week of June 24-30
Week of July 1-7
Week of July 8-14
Week of July 15-21
Week of July 22-28
Week of July 29- Aug 4
Week of August 5-11
Week of August 12-18
Week of August 19-25
Week of October 7-13
Week of October 14-20
Week of October 21-27
Week of Oct 28-Nov 3
Week of November 4-10
Week of November 11-17
Week of November 18-24
Week of November 25-Dec 1
Week of December 2-8
Week of December 9-15
Week of December 16-22
Week of December 23-29
Week of December 30-Jan 5
Week of January 6-12
Week of January 13-19
Week of January 20-26
Week of January 27-Feb 2
Week of February 3-9
Week of February 10-16
Week of February 17-23
Week of Feb 24-March 1
Week of March 2-8
Week of March 9-15
Week of March 16-22
Week of March 23-29
Week of March 30-April 5
April 6-12
April 13-19
May 4-10

Our "Tip of the Week" page will feature ideas that you can use to continue to support your child's learning . Check back here weekly to learn new tips. We will archive all the previous weeks' tips as well, so that you can refer to them anytime.

Week of May 4

Set up a space at home to encourage writing. This could be a basket, table, box or
desk stocked with supplies such as paper, pencils, crayons, envelopes and a dry-erase board. Set aside a few minutes to encourage your child to write. Ask her to write down the silliest, best or most exciting thing that happened that day.

Bright Ideas: Encourage Writing

Thanks to our many readers who shared their writing ideas. Here's a sampling of what our readers had to say.

Pen pals. A parent of a second-grader writes: "My son started a pen pal relationship
with a child who also needs to practice writing. They get excited receiving something
in the mail and hearing from each other."

Publishing books. A first-grade parent from Massachusetts writes: "My son is very
interested in animals. We write books about them. We talk about story structure and research facts on the Internet. He either dictates his ideas to me or writes them
himself. Then he illustrates his work. We purchased Illustory and used it to bind
and 'publish' one of his books. He loves this so much and said that when he grows up one of his jobs will be to write and illustrate books."

Story starters. A parent of a first-grader writes: "My daughter loves to read and
write. I will start the beginning of a story for her. For example: 'One day I woke up
in the night and I saw a cat in my room...' then I have her finish the story. She
loves it and it is amazing to see how creative she can be."

Week of April 13

What to Consider Before Buying a Computer

Whether you're buying your child her first laptop or replacing the dinosaur in the family room, consider these basic points.

By Marian Wilde, GreatSchools Senior Writer

Before you pull out your credit card, you'll want to make some basic decisions.

Week of April 6

Math Tips for Home
by: GreatSchools.net

How you can help at home: Build your fourth- or fifth-grader's math skills with these easy strategies.

Week of March 30

GreatSchools.net provides excellent tips for parents of middle and high school students in their April 2008 parent e-newsletter.

As the school year winds down, even stellar students can lose focus. And a child who hasn't quite mastered study skills has an even harder time. Whether your child has trouble getting organized, tends to procrastinate on assignments or struggles with reading, we have resources to help.

The College Board has advice on the homework front, as well, with 10 tips to help your child get the most out of homework. We hope these tips avert homework battles at your house!

Week of March 23

Plan the Best Family Trip Ever

by: GreatSchools.net

Are you planning to take a trip with your family this summer? Thinking about where you can go that will be fun, adventurous and educational? We've got tips for you!

Don't know where to begin? Relax — we've started the packing list for you. Learn about essential items to pack for family travel

If you're planning an international trip, leave plenty of time to assemble all the documents you'll need.

Learn about health and safety tips, travel games, travel bargains and more.
See Travel, Learning and Fun

Week of March 16

HELPING STRESSED-OUT TEENS COPE WITH ALL SORTS OF PRESSURE
As Andre Zayas lay on the gym floor, the 14-year-old from Dorchester, Mass., struggled to clear his mind of his many burdens. He ached for a friend who was recently shot to death and worried about finding a job to help his single mother pay the bills. Next to him, Chanel Peguero closed her eyes and imagined graduating high school in four years with a scholarship, the only way she would be able to afford college. The teenagers, among two dozen other freshman, breathed deeply as a stress-reduction trainer instructed them on how to relax, reports Tracy Jan for the Boston Globe. In addition to deep breathing and goal visualization, students learned muscle-relaxation techniques and how to focus before a test. While high schools have always been pressure cookers, students say stress is fueled by increased competition to gain admittance into selective colleges and demanding parental expectations. At the same time, others face more life-and-death anxieties as violence penetrates their neighborhoods. A study conducted in the late 1990s of students in a South Central Los Angeles middle school showed that relaxation training boosted grade point averages and test scores and improved attendance. Jenny Huezo-Rosales, 16, said she regularly uses the techniques to help her decompress. She has trouble focusing on school work at home because she shares a room with six siblings. Now, her siblings know to leave her alone when she turns out the lights, lies on her bed and shuts her eyes for 10 minutes.

Week of March 9

Teaching Kids Smart Money Skills
provided by GreatSchools.net

Your child needs to learn money-management skills to prepare for the future. But as the current mortgage market meltdown illustrates, you can’t assume that school is preparing students to make complex financial decisions when they become adults. You can teach your child valuable life and money skills by taking some simple steps:

1. Encourage a work ethic. Encourage your child to feel responsible for what she does or doesn't do, a characteristic critical to long-term financial responsibility.

2. Teach financial literacy. Use everything from allowances, savings and checking accounts to credit cards to educate your child about the basics of money management.

3. Be aware of the values you model. Do you as a parent stick to a budget? Do you regularly over-spend? The vast majority of communication is nonverbal, so you should be aware of the money messages you are sending to your child.

Raise your child's financial IQ

For information on teaching money skills to a child with a learning difficulty, read this SchwabLearning article.

Week of March 2

Rejected? Accepted? Handling College Admission Decisions

This can be a season of high anxiety if your child is awaiting college admissions decisions. You can help her handle the outcome, with the help of these tips from the College Board.

Week of February 24

Communication Tips for Parents and Kids

"You never listen to me" is a complaint heard as often from children as parents. Good communication helps children and parents to develop confidence, feelings of self-worth, and good relationships with others. Try these tips:

Teach children to listen... gently touch a child before you talk... say their name.

Speak in a quiet voice... whisper sometimes so children have to listen... they like this.

Look a child in the eyes so you can tell when they understand... bend or sit down... become the child's size.

Practice listening and talking: talk with your family about what you see on TV, hear on the radio or see at the park or store. (Talk with your children about school and their friends.)

Respect children and use a courteous tone of voice. If we talk to our children as we would our friends, our youngsters may be more likely to seek us out as confidants.

Catch children and teens being good. Praise them for cooperating with you or their siblings, or for doing those little things that are so easy to take for granted.

Use door openers that invite children to say more about an incident or their feelings. "I see," "Oh," "tell me more," "No kidding," "Really," "Mmmmhmmmmm," "Say that again, I want to be sure I understand you."

Praise builds a child's confidence and reinforces communication. Unkind words tear children down and teach them that they just aren't good enough.

Children are never too old to be told they are loved. Saying "I love you" is important. Writing it in a note provides the child with a reminder that he can hold on to.

Give your undivided attention when your children want to talk to you. Don't read, watch TV, fall asleep or make yourself busy with other tasks.

Week of February 17

What Your Child Should Be Learning: State Tests

GreatSchools.net writer, Miriam Myers, examines ways to help you and your child feel prepared for state testing.

Week of February 10

Your child may need help with study skills or tips on writing. Maybe you need advice about getting a tutor or helping your child with math.

Our new Tutoring and Homework Help section is for you.

Week of February 3

CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERACY WITH A READ-IN
As Black History Month begins, communities are urged to make literacy a significant part of all celebrations by hosting or coordinating Read-Ins. Hosting a Read-In can be as simple as bringing together friends and family to share a book, or as extravagant as arranging public readings and media presentations that feature professional African American writers. The goal of Black History Month is a noble one, and is tied closely to that of the Read-Ins, which is to make the celebration of African American literacy a traditional part of all February activities.

Week of January 27

How to Help Your Tween or Teen With Math
By Linda Strean, Managing Editor

Parents can help their children develop strong study skills and an understanding that math skills are essential tools for life.

Yes, you absolutely should make sure your child does her math homework. There are also other ways you can help her appreciate the value of math and succeed in this essential subject.

Week of January 20

Moving? Tips to Help Your Child With the Transition

When moving to a new neighborhood and school, the key to success is understanding your child's temperament.

By Dr. Ron Taffel, Family Therapist

You are about to take on a double whammy - moving to a new neighborhood and a new school. Many parents dread this double-edged transition, but despite the significant challenges, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that your child has the best chance of doing well.

Week of January 13

SAT or ACT: How to Help Your Child Get Ready

There is no secret trick to getting a high score on the SAT or ACT, but there are ways you can help your child get ready for the test.

Week of January 6

Printable Parent Guides

Reading Is Fundamental has developed these brochures on a variety of topics to help promote the habit of reading in families.

Download, print, copy and distribute any or all of these materials for free!
Or click here to learn how to order multiple copies.

Week of December 30

New Year's Resolutions

Make this the year to be more patient and a better listener when it comes to your kids. Read tips from our experts on starting the new year right

Week of December 23

What Can I Do to Reinforce My Freshman's Self-Esteem?

Great Schools looks at positive ways to help teenage children build and sustain self-esteem.

Week of December 16

Have you ever thought about an easy way to help your student succeed in school?
Studies show that communication at home helps academics!

Read More

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Week of November 18

Managing Your Child's Screen Time

Whether it's winter break or summer vacation, follow these tips to manage your child's screen time.

By Lisa Rosenthal, Greatschools.net Staff

School vacation means more time to surf the Web, watch TV, listen to music, go to the movies and play video games.

View article

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Week of November 11

Have you ever wondered how you can help your child succeed on tests?

Linda Strean, GreatSchools.net Managing Editor, writes about “Help Your Tween or Teen
Get Smart About Tests”.

Your child is used to taking tests, but beginning in middle school the results carry
higher stakes. Tests may determine whether your child progresses from algebra to
geometry, graduates from high school or is admitted to the college of her choice. It's
no wonder parents worry that their kids are test-stressed.

Week of November 4th

Parents usually ask the age old question: "How Much Should I Help with Homework?"

Dr. Michelle Alvarez, Consulting Educator, for GreatSchools.net answers the question.

Read the Question and Answer on GreatSchools.net

Week of October 29th

Parents generally find it easier to be involved at the elementary school level. When your child moves on to middle or high school, staying involved in her education can be tricky, but continued involvement is important to your teen-ager's academic success. Linda Strean with www.greatschools.net suggests a set strategies to stay involved beyond elementary school that include the following:
* Read all information on school policies and curriculum carefully. Normally, schools send this home at the beginning of the school year.
* Subscribe to the school email newsletter or join a school-to-parent or parent-to-parent network. If your school doesn't have one, you can help start it.
* Help your child turn her anxieties into positive action. He may not have told you he's nervous about the transition to a new school, but that doesn't mean he's not. Go over school rules and schedules together.
* Attend school events and stay involved in decisions about what classes to take. Keeping up with college admissions requirements can help you help your child understand the long-term effects of his choices.
* Talk with your child about what happens at school every day. Sometimes a casual chat in the car or over an evening snack will help your child feel more comfortable about opening up than an interrogation right after he — or you — have just come home after a hard day. To avert dead ends to the conversation, avoid asking questions that will get you "yes" or "no" answers. "What's the best/worst thing that happened at school today?" are good openers.
* Listen to her worries, and work for changes when you think they are needed. Support what you believe is good about the school and its rules. But remember that you can play a key role in changing school practices that you believe are wrong.
* Get to know several teachers. Don't wait for a problem to talk to them.
* Don't forget about the guidance counselors. They can keep you informed about your child's progress and behavior.
* Encourage your child to explore new sports, hobbies or interests. Help him regard failure as a necessary part of learning and growing. It's not unusual for students at this age to avoid new activities because, they reason, they can't fail if they don't try. But they also cut themselves off from chances to develop new interests and paths to success.
* Be alert to signs of depression or anxiety and seek help. A great web site is www.KidsHealth.org to learn more.

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Week of October 22

With parent-teacher conferences around the corner Jesse James at www.greatschools.net has some suggestions on making the most of your teacher conference. Here are five suggestions about what to discuss with the teacher:

1. Learn about your child's progress. It's important to find out how your child is progressing academically as well as how he interacts with his peers, if he participates in class and if he is well behaved. Listen carefully to what your child's teacher says, and ask yourself if you note similar patterns at home. If your child is in middle or high school, ask about whether he is on track for college.

2. Share your insights with your child's teacher. A conference is a good opportunity to hear from your child's teacher, but it's also a perfect time to share your perspective. Remember, you know your child best. You can give the teacher valuable information that could help your child learn more effectively.

3. Be informed about the achievement scores for your child's school. In this age of standards and accountability, test scores are increasingly important. To find the test scores for your child's school, go to the Kansas State Department of Education's website at www.ksde.org. The report cards are published during the second week of October. If the scores are strong, ask how the school is working to keep students on track. If the scores are low, ask what the school is doing to raise achievement and how you can support learning at home.

4. Discuss your child's strengths and challenges. Through comparing areas where your child excels with areas in need of improvement, you can identify ways to support your child's learning at home.

5. Ask questions. This is one of the most important aspects of a successful conference. Here are some key questions to get you started:
* How much time should my child spend on homework each night? Does the teacher's estimate match with what you see your child doing at home? If it doesn't, share your observations with your child's teacher to generate possible solutions.

* How can I reinforce classroom lessons at home? Ask the teacher about activities, games or other strategies that you can use to further your child's learning at home.

* How can I stay connected? Find out ways to keep track of your child's progress, assignments and activities. Is there a system in place for parent communication or involvement? Discuss the best ways to stay current.

Do your best to make the most of your parent-teacher conference or back-to-school night. The more informed you become, the better you, your child and your child's teacher can work together as a successful team.
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Week of October 15

Finding time to help improve your child's school can seem impossible if, like most parents, you are already scrambling to help with homework, read with your child and pack healthy lunches. The good news is that all of the things you do to help your child do well in school also help improve the school.

According to www.greatschools.net helping your child succeed helps the school in several ways:
* Improves the school's test scores. Your child is likely to do better academically if he comes to school rested and fed, completes his homework regularly and reads each night. Successful schools are those with successful students. This means that as your child's performance improves, he boosts the success of the school.
* Helps your child's teacher focus on learning. Her teacher's job will be easier if she arrives at school ready to learn. Teachers can focus more on teaching and learning when students' other needs are met. Teachers appreciate when parents help students follow through with homework, reading and developing study skills at home, too.
* Encourages your child's teacher to do his best. Paying attention to the school side of your child's education also makes the school better. Parents who know what their children should learn and be able to do in each grade help hold schools and teachers accountable. Also, when teachers know parents appreciate their efforts and care about education, they are inspired to do their best.
* Builds your credibility. If you are considering taking a parent leadership role at your school or launching a school improvement project, being actively involved with your child's education has an added benefit. Your efforts are more likely to be taken seriously if school staff members know you are competent, involved and reliable.
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Week of October 8th

If you'd like to get involved at your child's school but aren't sure where to start, www.greatschools.net has many practical suggestions. For starters here are Ten Tips on How to Make a Difference. These tips will guide you in becoming an effective parent leader striving to make a difference at your school:

* Speak up if you are confused, need information, or see something that seems wrong to you.
* Identify a specific need or issue that you can work on.
* Build a relationship with the principal so that you can set goals and expectations with him or her.
* Don't go it alone. Build consensus. Talk to other parents. Reach out to those who usually don't participate.
* Learn how to run a meeting.
* Build your case. Research the issue. This might mean learning the voting history of the school board members, finding out if other schools or districts have attempted something similar to your project, or gathering data from a scientific study.
* Get to know your school's budget. Know what questions to ask of whom; know what documents you'll need.
* Learn to use the media strategically to advance your cause.
* To help prevent blaming and provide a common goal, emphasize that your efforts are focused on improving the school and raising student achievement.
* Today's parent leader must think about the interests of all the children in their school, not just their own.

Week of August 19-25

Homework For Parents and Students

It’s back-to-school time, and we’re handing out homework for the whole family. As kids pack up their backpacks and routine returns to family life, it’s a good time to re-establish the media rules for your household.

Week of August 12-18

Five Key Skills for Academic Success

It's never too early or too late to help your child develop the skills for academic success. Learn how to build these skills and stay on track all year long.